Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Apr. 15, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TRINITY INDUSTRIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000099780
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		150,806,218